MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 5th January 2004

Kings

The election of Arnold Schwarznegger as the governor of California highlights certain points. Of course there is the background Kennedy 'machine' as he is married to a Kennedy. In a democracy visibility and media attention is enough to get someone elected even if that person has not shown signs of governing skill. Arnold may indeed make a good governor but those skills were not shown prior to election. It may be that governing skills are not required. What is needed is an iconic figure who people can trust. That person can always gather good advisers and listen to them. Ronald Reagan was the nearest the USA has come to having a 'king'. No one expected great wisdom from him but he was liked and respected. That may be enough. Maybe there is more need for kings - though not necessarily of the hereditary type. Hereditary monarchy, like democracy, is set up so that no one is to blame because the rules are simply followed.

Edward de Bono nmt
3rd January 2004